Glass applicator cap



y 9, 1939. e. w. TEMPLE 2,157,743

GLASS APPLICATOR CAP Filed Nov. '4, 1938 I INVENTOR A ORNEY Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLASS APPLICATOR GAP Application November 4, 1938, Serial No. 238,755

7 Claims.

This invention relates to molded caps to which a glass or the like applicator rod is secured and forming a closure means for a bottle or the like,

and particularly to the means for securing the 6 rod to the cap.

Applicator caps are usually moldedfrom a synthetic resinous phenolic composition, such as is known as and sold under the trade-mark Bakelite. In order to provide a securing means for the rod, the cap is molded with a central well integral with and depending from the top of the cap and having a central opening therein extending partway up from the bottom of the well but terminating below the top of the cap. To secure the rod in the well, an end thereof is heated to make said end plastic, after Which the thus softened end is inserted into the opening of the well. Difficulties have been experienced in the proper assembly of the rods to the caps, owing to the way the caps are formed as a result of the molding operation.

During the molding of the caps in molds or dies, annular removable cores or pins .are used to form the inner threaded surface of the cap skirt, the outer central surface of the Well, and the opening in the well. Since said opening has a bottom, the cores or pins are withdrawn from the die or mold in the same direction, that is to say, in a direction away from the top of the cap. To permit the cores or pins to be so withdrawn, it becomes necessary to taper the outer surface of the well so that said surface is of greater diameter at its top than at its bottom. The opening, however, must be tapered in the opposite direction, that is, it is of greater diameter at its bottom than at its top. Consequently, when the heated end of the glass rod is inserted into the opening, if it is of the correct diameter toreach the bottom of the opening, considerable pressure 3 must be put upon it to make the'inserted end fit the Wall of the opening. Even if this is done the rod is not adequately secured in the well,

since the rod tends to drop out of the well under the force of its own weight because of the -.i direction of the taper of the opening. Furthermore, the rod end frequently is not properly shaped by the assembling operation to fit the bottom part of the opening and the resulting space between the rod and the wall of the opening forms an insecure and uncertain connection therebetween.

My invention therefore contemplates the provision of means on the cap for adequately securing the applicator rod thereto regardless of whether or not the rod is heated, said means comprising cooperating tapered surfaces on the rod and cap.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a hole made completely through the cap well and having a surface tapered in the same direction as the taper of the outer lateral surface of the Well, thereby permitting a tapered rod to be driven into the hole in a direction away from the top of the cap with a forced or drive fit, or permitting a straight rod to be passed through the hole and heated and enlarged to become forcibly fitted thereinto.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a cap having an opening completely therethrough into which opening a glass rod may be readily inserted and secured, the opening being tapered in the proper direction to form an adequate securing means for the adjacent part of the rod.

The various objects of the invention will be clear from the description which follows and from the drawing, in which,

Fig. l is a vertical section and partial elevation showing one form of my new applicator cap as it appears in its operative position, serving as a closure for a bottle.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of the applicator cap in its incomplete state and in the position in which the rod is inserted into the hole of the cap preparatory to enlarging the end thereof.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the finished cap of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another modified form of the invention wherein a flanged head is formed on the rod.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of still another modified form of the same wherein the upper end of the opening in the well is countersunk to receive a head of substantial size on the rod.

In the practical embodiment of the invention which I have shown by way of example, and referring particularly to Fig. 1, the cap I'll is molded from suitable synthetic resin such as is designated by the trade-mark Bakelite. Said cap is provided with an internally threaded skirt ll adapted to engage corresponding threads at the top of the bottle 12, and depending from the top l3 of the cap. Also depending from the top I3, is the preferably axially arranged well I4. In order that the well-forming core may be withdrawn from the mold or die, the outer lateral surface l5 of the well is tapered downwardly and inwardly. Said well is provided with the central opening l6 for the reception of the glass or the like applicator rod I1. As shown, the opening I6 is open both at its top and bottom, said opening passing completely through the well and through the top I 3 of the cap.

It therefore becomes possible, when molding the opening I6 to withdraw the pin or core forming the opening through the top of the opening as viewed in the various figures. The molding pin is tapered downwardly and inwardly, that is, in the same direction as the taper of the lateral surface l5. It will thus be seen that the mold core for shaping the inner threads of the cap and the surface l5 of the well is Withdrawn from the mold or die in one direction (downwardly), while the pin for molding the opening I6 is with drawn from the mold in the opposite direction (upwardly). The inner lateral surface [8 of the well, forming the wall of the opening I6, tapers downwardly and inwardly similar to the taper of the wall I5. Preferably, the taper of said wall I8 is a standard such as the wellknown Morse taper.

When a correspondingly tapered applicator rod i1 is used, said rod need merely be driven through the upper end of the opening l5 and pressed downwardly with suflicient force to form a drive fit connection between the upper end of the rod and the wall l8. Since the taper of the rod and the taper of the wall 13 correspond, the resulting tight frictional fit adequately resists separation of the rod and cap. The normal longitudinal pressure upon the rod I! in its ordinary use is insufficient to drive the rod back (or up wardly) through the opening 16. Said drive fit connection and the equal tapers of the rod and wall of the opening make it impossible for leakage to occur therebetween, so that the rod forms an effective seal for the opening.

At its extreme upper end 19, the rod is preferably slightly rounded so as to present a good appearance in the form of a very slight elevation at the center of the cap thus adding to the attractive ornamental appearance of the cap, though it will be understood that the rod end may be fiat or of any other shape desired.

In those cases where it is preferred to use a cylindrical rod as 20 instead of a tapered rod, 2. step in the assembling the rod and cap in addition to the forced fit of the parts is preferable. The rod 20 is first inserted into the opening IS with the outer end 2| thereof projecting sufficiently beyond the top l3 of the cap to supply the additional material needed for substantially filling the space 22 between the cylindrical surface of the rod and the tapered wall IQ of the opening Hi. The rod 20 and cap IQ being thus preassembled (Fig. 2), the projection 2| and the end part of the rod directly therebelow is heated to a sufficient extent to render it plastic, whereafter a suitably shaped tool is forced downwardly on said projecting portion 2| While the cap and rod are supported against relative movement. The end portion 23 of the rod is thereby enlarged to fit the wall is and to substantially fill up the space 22, while the extreme end 2 4 of the rod is shaped at the same time into substantially coplanar but slightly rounded relation to the top of the cap, a drive fit connection between the portion 23 and the wall l6 being thus formed.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the tool for compressing the projection 2i may be of such shape as to form a slightly enlarged head 25 on the end of the rod immediately after the drive fit connection has been attained, said head having shoulders as 26 engaging the outermost surface of the cap top l3.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, an annular recess as 27 is provided at the outermost part of the opening I5, said recess having the bottom surface 28 thereon and the side surface 29. When the heated projection 2| is compressed in its plastic state, the head 39 filling the recess 2'! is formed and the portion 23 of the rod enlarged in the manner hereinbefore explained, and after the desired drive fit connection has been established.

In all of the forms shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the end 23 of the otherwise cylindrical rod is enlarged to a shape substantially conforming to the shape of the wall it and of the same taper as said wall, and in forced contact with the wall along a major part of the area of said portion 23. Substantially the same results are thereby attained insofar as the connection between the rod and the cap is concerned as is obtained by the use of the tapered rod il'.

It will be seen that I have provided an applicator cap with means for adequately, economically and dependably securing an applicator rod thereto and that the structure I have provided is designed to meet the requirements of practical use.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto but intend to claim the invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A molded cap provided with a top and with a well depending from the top and adapted to receive an applicator rod, said cap having an opening therein extending completely through the well and the top, the wall surrounding the opening tapering downwardly and inwardly from the top.

2. A molded cap provided with a top and with a well depending from the top and adapted to receive an applicator rod, said cap having an opening therein extending completely through the well and the top, the wall surrounding the opening tapering downwardly and inwardly from the top, and an applicator rod having an end portion thereof extending completely through said opening and being enlarged relatively to the remainder of the rod to a diameter greater at said top than at the bottom of said well to fit and firmly contact with a substantial area of said wall and thereby sealing the opening and normally preventing separation of the rod and cap.

3. A molded cap having a top and an internally threaded skirt portion depending from the top, a centrally apertured well depending from the top in the interior of the skirt portion, the wall of the aperture tapering downwardly and inwardly to permit the passage downwardly into the aperture of an applicator rod enlarged at its top, and a solid applicator rod enlarged at its top portion to a diameter having a drive fit connection with said wall.

4. A molded cap having a downwardly and inwardly tapered opening therethrough and a solid applicator rod having a similarly tapered end portion forcibly fitted into said opening and sealing the opening and having the extreme end of said end portion exposed at the top of the cap.

5. A molded cap having a downwardly and inwardly tapered axially arranged opening extendfill ing completely therethrough and a similarly tapered rod driven downwardly into and sealing the opening and having a drive fit connection with the wall of the opening.

6. In a combined closure cap and applicator, a molded cap having a rod-receiving Well provided with a tapered lateral surface and with an aperture therethrough tapered in the same direction as the tape-r of said surface, and a rod held by the cap and having an enlarged end portion thereon, said end portion having a drive fit connection with the wall of said well surrounding the opening.

7. In a combined closure cap and applicator, a cap molded of plastic material, a glass rod carried by the cap, and a, hollow rod-receiving well on said cap having an opening completely therethrough, the lateral surface of said Well and the wall of said opening being tapered in the same direction, an end portion of said rod being in pressed contact with said Wall.

GEORGE W. TEMPLE.

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